It’s possible that at one point in time, your business was a one-person show. Though growth and expansion inevitably leads to the building a team, the team that becomes the lifeblood of your humbly built operation. An effective team is like an orchestra- many different instruments, many different players, one piece of music. The success of the song depends …

So, this may sound like a contradiction, as we have in the past touted the importance of these types of programs, and we are not taking that advice back. But it is important to examine both sides of the story, and to be aware of the dangerous pitfalls that come with initiating employee rewards. In a nutshell, the concern …

Let’s start by defining what real time marketing is. Simply put, real-time marketing is based on current, ‘on-the-fly’ decision making, as opposed to traditional marketing strategies that are planned out long term and mostly in advance. This strategy is based on current, up to minute assessments of events, trends and feedback. It requires branded responses that are both relevant and …

Setting goals is the best way to ensure progress, stick to deadlines and ultimately, to tangibly quantify success. But it is important to take on strategic methods when setting goals, and to stick to SMART goal planning. What are SMART goals? They are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each time you lay out a goal, evaluate it for these …

In many small firms the Policies and Procedures (PP) manual functions as the strategic link between the business’ vision and its day-to-day activities. This document will construct and define roles and responsibilities while allowing operations to proceed at their smoothest.

Starting and running a business is rarely a safe or simple process, and doing so with one’s spouse creates an additional layer of complexity. Whether that complexity will have a positive or negative effect depends on several factors. Here are some of the questions you need to discuss before going into business with your spouse.

Long-term goals are crucial for a successful business. Mission statements, business plans and marketing campaigns all contribute towards achieving your goals. While long-term plans help you to keep an eye on the overall goals, short-term goals are necessary on a day-to-day basis to ensure their delivery.